Balancing Informal Care and Career: Are Employers Supporting the Sandwich Generation?

Who are the Sandwich Generation?

The sandwich generation refers to middle-aged adults who are responsible for bringing up their own children while also caring for their aging parents. This group often finds themselves “sandwiched” between the needs of their children and their parents, leading to significant emotional, financial, and physical stress.

In today’s fast-paced world, many employees find themselves juggling the dual responsibilities of their careers and caring for both their children and aging relatives. This “sandwich generation” faces unique challenges, leading to stress, burnout, and decreased productivity.

The UK government has implemented measures like Carer’s Allowance, unpaid carer’s leave, and various tax credits and benefits, such as Child Benefit and free childcare hours, to support those with additional responsibilities around caring for a loved one. As well as this, 2025 has seen an increased introduction of AI into the healthcare sector to support carers and employees. One introduction being Humphrey, an AI assistant aimed to streamline pressures on the NHS and its employees across the nation including local authorities and trusts. However, there is an ongoing debate about whether these efforts are enough. Many argue that more ambitious proposals in the funding and delivery of adult social care are needed to better support older adults and disabled people, which would, in turn, help the so called ‘sandwich generation’ manage their work and caregiving responsibilities more effectively.

As the global population continues to age and the number of working caregivers rises, it is crucial to examine whether employers and governments alike are doing enough to support their staff in this demanding role.

The Growing Need for Support

The number of employees who are also caregivers is significant and growing. In the UK alone there are an estimated 1.4 million people who are part of the sandwich generation, balancing their professional responsibilities with caregiving duties. These caregivers often face unique challenges, including financial strain, emotional stress, and the physical demands of providing care.

Current Employer Support

Many employers are beginning to recognise the importance of supporting their caregiving employees by implementing various measures. Flexible working hours allow employees to adjust their work schedules to accommodate caregiving responsibilities, while remote work options provide the ability to work from home, helping caregivers manage their time more effectively. Offering paid leave specifically for caregiving can alleviate some of the financial burdens and stress associated with taking time off work. Additionally, Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) often include counselling services, financial advice, and other resources to support caregivers.

The Role of Technology

Technology plays a pivotal role in supporting caregivers. At Sentai, we leverage AI and other advanced technologies to provide peace of mind to carers and independence to those they care for. Our voice-enabled companion device and motion sensors help monitor the well-being of older relatives, ensuring they are safe and supported while allowing caregivers to focus on their work.

Technology now offers a wide range of tools and solutions that significantly alleviate the burdens faced by caregivers, such as medical monitoring devices and medicine management tools. Today, 70% of caregivers turn to friends and family members for information, care, or support in their caregiving journey often facilitated by technology. These technologies not only provide practical assistance but also offer peace of mind to caregivers, knowing that their loved ones are safe and supported. This added support helps to alleviate the burnout experienced by many juggling the balance of carer and career.

Looking towards the future, the role of technology in caregiving is set to expand even further, driven by advancements in AI, automation, and connectivity. Artificial intelligence powered tech such as Sentai is set to take centre stage and support caregivers by automating administrative tasks, tracking health metrics, and offering predictive analytics for better care planning and providing in home companionship. As technology continues to evolve, it will play an increasingly critical role in supporting caregivers, making their tasks more manageable and improving the quality of care for older adult relatives. At Sentai we are committed to being at the forefront of this technological revolution, combining all these key innovations into one encompassing product – ensuring that caregivers have the tools they need to provide the best possible care whilst feeling adequate reassurance and balance.

The Benefits of Employer Support

Supporting caregiving employees is not just beneficial for the employees themselves; it also positively impacts employers. Companies that provide robust support for caregivers often see increased productivity, as employees who feel supported are more likely to be engaged at work, with research indicating that around 80% of workers believe caregiving responsibilities impact their productivity. Additionally, flexible work arrangements and paid leave can significantly reduce absenteeism, with studies showing that employer-provided caregiving benefits can reduce absenteeism by 10% to 50%. Higher retention rates are another advantage, as employees are more likely to stay with an employer that understands and supports their caregiving responsibilities. This support can lead to a substantial return on investment, with companies experiencing up to a 72% return from reduced turnover and absenteeism.

Moving Forward

Whilst progress has been made, there is still a lot of work to be done. Employers need to continue developing and implementing policies that support caregiving employees. This includes not only flexible work arrangements and paid leave but also creating a workplace culture that recognises and values the contributions of caregivers.

At Sentai, we are committed to helping support all caregivers and employer through innovative technology solutions that make caregiving more manageable. By working together, employers and technology providers can create a more supportive environment for those balancing care and career.